About 7 months ago, I resolved to set aside Fridays as my “do not judge others” day. The rules of this day were to refrain from thinking anything negative about people or saying anything negative about people. Constructive feedback is fine as long as it comes from a place of love. In short, I signed up for a “Judges Anonymous” club of 1. I have to report that I slip and slide now and then. But I pray for forgiveness, dust myself off, reset the counter and march forth with the grace of God.
“Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
-Matthew 7:5
Why do these convicting words of Jesus elude me often? I think it is because I fail to see who I am judging. As a society we have a stencil of success, an unsaid standard. Standards consisting of intelligence levels, abilities, talents, looks, this list is steeped in worldly perishable attributes. In our defense, this is bombarded into our psyche from the time we are born. By watching how everyone around us is, acknowledging the standards imposed by movies, TV shows, books, family, etc.,
To counter or undo this wiring of our psyche, I would recommend:
- sterilizing the material that enters our mind.
- Spending time with God-loving brothers and sisters.
- Spending time in scripture
- Spending time with God
One final thought on judging others. This other that I am judging is God’s creation. Hand crafter by the Author of life.
For You formed my inward parts;
-Psalm 139: 13-14
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
What the Psalmist is saying in 139: 13-14 is not only true for me, but also for all children of God. How can I be so irreverent as to judge the work of the “Great I Am”? Am I not afraid of how much our fellow brothers and sisters are loved?
“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”
-Luke 12:5
Here is what works for me. When I interact with others, I first make note that they are loved by our good Lord. That Jesus came to earth to save them (even if they are not believers yet). Only after taking a mental note of that do I start talking to them. Through this I see the goodness that God intends.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for forgiving me my arrogance. Please teach me to see the beauty and intelligence in all of your creation and revel in it. Amen.